Arae Octanos V is an N-class planet orbiting the red dwarf star 326 Arae in the Megalu Cluster. It has a rotation period of 27.5 hours and a revolution period of 301.7 solar days. Surface temperatures average about 170F (79.5C) and the atmospheric pressure is about 275 kPa, quite a bit higher than the M-class standard of 101 kPa. The surface is mostly rocky, with oceans and clouds composed of sulfuric acid. The atmosphere is composed of nitrogen and oxygen with variable amounts of sulfuric acid and trace amounts of carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and other gases. The planet is often dark because not much sunlight gets through the thick atmosphere. The cities themselves provide brilliant light, as they are constructed using loakat, a unique, crystal-like rock that gives off a faint glow. 

The Arae Octan people are the rare humanoids who have evolved and thrived here. Their lungs inhale the oxygen and nitrogen (they need both to survive), they drink sulfuric acid instead of water, and they eat sulfur-rich foods. Their eyes and flesh also have bioluminescent quality, allowing them not only to be seen, but also communicate with each other in dazzling displays of multi-colored light. Their bioluminescence, along with their spoken language of clicks, whistles, and pulsed rhythms is how they speak. It is possible for them to communicate with sound only, but they regard it as unsophisticated, even child-like. The light and color aspect is what fills in the nuances of tone and emotion for them. In fact, it is impossible to say an Arae Octan's name without the chroma-linguistic aspect. For this reason many Arae Octans take on assumed names when dealing with other Federation races.

The planet is ruled by a governing body called the Assembly of Wisdom, which is democratically elected by the population. The Assembly elects one of its own every decade to serve as the planet's chief executive. This person is simply addressed as "Leader." Secondary government entities also exist at the territorial and municipal level, as well as a few off-world colonies on other N-class planets. 
The Arae Octans were a technologically developing people when they first encountered beings from another world, in their case a ship from the Sheliak Corporate. At that point they were capable of reaching low orbit in their primitive spacecraft. They had also launched a few satellites for communication and scientific purposes. The warp-capable Sheliak, being far more advanced, took advantage of this by annexing the planet as part of Sheliak territory, and kept the Arae Octans in a state of exploitative serfdom in which their government, trade, and technological progress were carefully controlled. The planet's natural resources were also preyed upon for Sheliak advantage. In particular, the glowing loakat rock was something that they valued as a rare gem. 
This occupation lasted 200 years, and finally ended in 2365 when the Arae Octans rose up in a violent revolution called "The Awakening." In several weeks of fighting, Arae Octan partisans killed several thousand Sheliak and seized dozens of warp-capable ships. Subsequently, the Sheliak granted the Arae Octans their independence as part of the Treaty of Armens. A few weeks after that, the Federation Council granted Arae Octanos V protectorate status. In 2379, Arae Octanos V became a member of the Federation. 
Starfleet has primary responsibility for defense of the planet, although the planet still maintains its own police constabulary and citizens' militia. Starbase 7250 (a.k.a. Starbase Pharos) is under construction in orbit of Arae Octanos, and is about a year away from completion. When commissioned it will be the home of the Federation embassy, as well as several other embassies and consulates.  There are also a significant number of Arae Octans who are interested in joining Starfleet. So far only ten have been recruited. A small initial cadre was chosen as a test group to evaluate how well they perform, given their unusual environmental needs. Starfleet is considering the possibility of having a starship crewed entirely by Arae Octans, although a firm decision won't be made for a number of years.